2020 Archives

The legalization of marijuana by states is getting murkier in the eyes of the federal government, which has still not legalized pot. Thirty-three states have, meaning that hotels have to deal with it whether they like it or not. Some hotels are embracing certain forms of cannabis. Others don’t want the potential liability. How do they figure out what to do?

After changing its fare structure to compete with low-cost carriers and earmarking $400 million to improve its cabins, Latam’s rollout of premium economy on domestic and regional routes makes sense. It puts the carrier in a position to offer higher-end services without the added complexity of a major business cabin reconfiguration.

At a stroke, Despegar will boost its annual revenue by about 25 percent. Acquiring Best Day Travel Group, one of the largest travel agencies in Mexico, will also solidify its set of products, including in the promising business-to-business segment.

It's notable that we had a much easier time finding experts who supported Sabre's proposed merger of Farelogix than opponents. But this court case will be decided on legal nuances, and its outcome is impossible to predict. We pity the judge who has to endure this crash course in airline technology and distribution.

Seeking out unique food and beverage experiences while traveling is one trend that has proven to be here to stay — but the focus has shifted from high-end dining to dining that is much more inclusive and democratic. By looking at Hilton Luxury Group’s approach to its food and beverage program, one can witness this change in consumer preference.

Global payments technology and rules are changing swiftly, led by seamless innovations in Asia that are making life easier for consumers. Travel companies of all sizes are finally taking action in order to stay competitive.

It’s going to be a long, cold winter for China’s travel industry and for businesses that rely on outbound Chinese tourists, as the novel coronavirus epidemic expands, and people stay put during China’s biggest travel season.

Tripadvisor — in a fight to maintain its share of the travel market — is beefing up Viator and will start treating the tours-and-activities booking agency as its own brand. Plus, after years of criticism for prioritizing its own travel products above others, Google is changing the way it monetizes its flight search.

In hospitality news this week, the travel industry is inextricably intertwined with human trafficking. Hotels companies have taken note, and many have partnered with organizations to implement training. But is that enough? Also, the Ace Hotel group consolidated its ownership structure after years of in-fighting following the death of its co-founder.

In aviation news this week, JetBlue's CEO thinks the flight shaming movement is headed toward the U.S. What's more, twice a year Skift looks at the best of the best in travel and hospitality. For the 2020 winter edition, Finnair, Cathay Pacific, and Alaska Airlines received shout-outs for best innovators in airlines.